Convertible shoe

ABSTRACT

A convertible shoe includes a shoe base having shoe base surfaces; fastener structures; at least two interchangeable shoe parts removably attachable with the fastener structures to at least one of the base surfaces to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration. The shoe base preferably includes an elongate panel having substantially the shape and size of a shoe sole for a given user, and the base surfaces to which the fastener structures are secured include longitudinal panel side surfaces, panel front and rear surfaces and panel top and bottom surfaces. The shoe parts preferably include a number of shoe top structures of various configurations and a number of shoe bottom structures of various configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear. Morespecifically the present invention relates to a convertible shoeprovided with variety of straps, wraps and snaps to permit customizingthe shoe to various tastes, clothing combinations and occasions,permitting the purchaser to design and reconfigure his or her own shoestyle and to have a new look whenever desired. The convertible shoespecifically includes a shoe base having shoe base surfaces fitted withfastener means to which any of a variety of interchangeable shoeaccessories hereinafter referred to as shoe parts are removably attachedto selectively produce a desired shoe configuration and color. Anysuitable fastener means may be used, but one preferred fastener means isan array of first snap fastener halves secured to the base surfaces,with opposing and connecting second snap fastener halves secured to theshoe parts. Another suitable fastener means is the hook portion or loopportion of hook and loop fastener sheets also commercially known asVELCRO™ secured to the shoe base surfaces, which removably connect to anopposing loop portion or hook portion of hook and loop fastener sheetson the shoe parts. The hook and loop fastener sheets are removablyattached to the elements making up the shoe so that they can be replacedwith new hook and loop fastener sheets when they become worn. Theresulting assembled shoe may be a dress shoe, clog, boot, sandal orvirtually any other type of shoe.

One version of the shoe base is an elongate panel having the shape andsize of a shoe sole for the given wearer, and the base surfaces to whichfastener means are secured include a longitudinal panel side surfaces,panel front and rear surfaces and panel top and bottom surfaces,respectively. The shoe parts include several shoe top structures ofvarious configurations shaped to wrap over the top of a wearer foot anddownwardly to connect at their lower ends to fastener means on the shoebase, and preferably to the longitudinal panel side surfaces, panel rearsurface and in some instances to peripheral portions of the panel topand bottom surfaces. Since the shoe top structures may have verydifferent configurations from each other, they connect to the shoe baseat a variety of different locations. For this reason, the fasteningmeans are provided over broad areas of the shoe base surfaces.

The shoe parts further include several shoe bottom structures of variousconfigurations including a sole portion connected to a heel portion. Thepanel and the bottom structure are permanently interconnected or may bea single integral part. In either instance, a heel cover sheet forchanging the color or style of the shoe also is optionally providedhaving heel cover fastener means which attach to base fastener means onthe heel portion and bottom or sole surfaces.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have long been many varieties and configurations of shoes. Alimitation inherent in shoes has been that whatever configuration theyinitially have cannot be altered so that only one permanent style isprovided.

Related patents include Berg, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,696, issued onSep. 21, 2004, discloses a shoe with an interchangeable strap system;Bricker, U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,359, issued on Nov. 25, 2003, teaches aninterchangeable shoe strap system; Yang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,643, issuedon Jul. 16, 2002, reveals shoe structure provided with means to fasteninterchangeably various insoles, pads or instep straps; Cotton, U.S.Pat. No. 6,345,454, issued on Feb. 12, 2002, discloses a shoe having aremovable sole and method of use; Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,684, issuedon Apr. 27, 1999, teaches a detachable toe strap and ankle strapmounting arrangement for a simple shoe; Hillyer, et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,222,442, issued on May 29, 2007, reveals a sandal which fits inside anitem of footwear that includes an outsole and an upper; Stern, et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,445, issued on May 22, 2007, discloses a lockingmechanism for securing detachable shoe uppers; Rolle, U.S. Pat. No.7,210,251, issued on May 1, 2007, teaches a shoe with interchangeablecovers; Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,204, issued on Aug. 3, 2004,reveals a sandal system; Cambronero, U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,754, issued onAug. 16, 2005, discloses a detachable straps connection to a shoe;Newson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,129, issued on Nov. 28, 2006,teaches an article of footwear with perforated covering and removablecomponents; Grove, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,890, issued on Jul. 18,2006, reveals footwear with a separable upper and sole structure; Sapp,U.S. Pat. No. 6,944,976, issued on Sep. 20, 2005, discloses a protectiveand decorative shoe cover; Coomes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,869, issued onSep. 3, 2002, teaches a children's sandal having replaceable soles;Grasso, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,261, issued on Sep. 27, 2005, reveals asupplemental removal outersole for footwear; Greene, U.S. Pat. No.6,931,766, issued on Aug. 23, 2005, discloses footwear with a separablefoot-receiving portion and sole structure; Halliday, U.S. Pat. No.6,976,323, issued on Dec. 20, 2005, teaches a footwear system withreadily interchangeable components; Gerber, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,615,issued on Oct. 10, 2006, reveals a shoe with removable upper; and Yama,U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,587, issued on Mar. 21, 2006, discloses foot wearexchangeable upper and sole portions.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a convertibleshoe which includes a wide variety of shoe parts removably andinterchangeably attachable to a shoe base so that the user can designand custom assemble his or her own shoe and create any of a variety ofdifferent shoe configurations and styles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such aconvertible shoe where the shoe parts include shoe top portions, shoebottom portions and heel covers.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such aconvertible shoe which is easily converted to a different shoeconfiguration or style.

It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such aconvertible shoe which is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as wellas others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation ofthe entire specification.

A convertible shoe is provided, including a shoe base having shoe basesurfaces; fastener structures; at least two interchangeable shoe partsremovably attachable with the fastener structures to at least one of thebase surfaces to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration.

The fastener structures optionally include an array of first snapfastener halves secured to at least one of the base surfaces, withopposing and connecting second snap fastener halves secured to theinterchangeable shoe parts. The fastener structures alternatively mayinclude one of the hook portion and the loop portion of hook and loopfastener sheets secured to at least one of the shoe base surfaces, forremovably connecting to an opposing one of a loop portion and a hookportion of hook and loop fastener sheets secured to the interchangeableshoe parts.

The shoe base preferably includes an elongate panel having substantiallythe shape and size of a shoe sole for a given user, and the basesurfaces to which the fastener structures are secured includelongitudinal panel side surfaces, panel front and rear surfaces andpanel top and bottom surfaces.

The shoe parts preferably include a number of shoe top structures ofvarious configurations having shoe top structure lower ends and beingshaped and sized to wrap over the top of a wearer foot and downwardly toconnect at the shoe top structure lower ends to fastener structures onat least one of the base surfaces. The shoe top structure lower endspreferably connect to at least one of: the longitudinal panel sidesurfaces, the panel rear surface and the panel top and bottom surfaces.

The shoe parts optionally include a number of shoe bottom structures ofvarious configurations including a sole portion connected to a heelportion. The heel portion and the sole portion are one of: permanentlyinterconnected and a single integral part. The panel and the bottomstructure alternatively are one of: permanently interconnected and asingle integral part. The convertible shoe optionally additionallyincludes a heel cover sheet having a heel cover fastener structure forremovably attaching to the base fastener structure on the heel, forchanging the color or style of the convertible shoe.

A convertible shoe is further provided, including a shoe base havingshoe base surfaces; a shoe sole portion having sole portion surfaces; afastener structure; at least two interchangeable shoe parts removablyattachable with the fastener structure to one of a shoe base surface anda sole portion surface to selectively produce a desired shoeconfiguration. At least one of the shoe parts preferably is a shoe topstructure.

A convertible shoe is still further provided, including a shoe basehaving a shoe sole portion having sole portion surfaces; a foot bedhaving foot bed surfaces; fastener structure; at least twointerchangeable shoe parts removably attachable with the fastenerstructure to one of a sole portion surface and a foot bed surface toselectively produce a desired shoe configuration. At least one of theshoe parts preferably is a shoe top structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the shoe base and parts making up oneembodiment of the present convertible shoe.

FIG. 1A is a top view of the assembled convertible shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of a shoe base which includes theintegral heel portion, fitted with several snap fastener halves.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view a shoe base and parts as in FIG. 1, exceptthat the shoe top structure is not shown and a foot bed is added.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate sole portion upper surfaces fitted withcombinations of removable hook and loop fasteners and snap fastenerhalves for firm and reliable connection to corresponding fasteners ofthe lower surface of a foot bed.

FIG. 3 is side perspective view of the shoe base of FIG. 1B with a heelcover sheet sized and shaped to wrap around the sides of the entire heelportion.

FIG. 4 is a view as in FIG. 3 except that the heel cover sheet is shownfolded into a U-shape and positioned to fit around the back and sides ofthe heel portion.

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 3 except that the tubular or sleeve versionof the heel cover is illustrated which slips on and wraps entirelyaround the heel portion.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a sandal embodiment of thepresent convertible shoe with one selected shoe top structure positionedfor fastening to the shoe base.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the assembled convertible shoe of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a sandal embodiment of thepresent convertible shoe as in FIG. 6, except that a different selectedshoe top structure is positioned for fastening to the shoe base.

FIG. 7A is a top view of the assembled convertible shoe of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of sandal embodiment including afoot bed with foot bed ports through which shoe top structure lower endsare passed and fastened to the elongate panel.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective bottom view of the shoe top structureof FIG. 8 with its lower end cross-member fitted through the forwardfoot bed port to fasten to snap fastener halves on the foot bed lowersurface, and showing the foot bed positioned to fit to the elongatepanel.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view as in FIG. 1, except that the snap fastenersare replaced with hook portions and loop portions of hook and loopfasteners.

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a rigid heel cover positionedto be fit over the existing heel portion of a convertible shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics andfeatures of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES aredesignated by the same reference numerals.

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a convertible shoe 10 is disclosed including ashoe base 20 having shoe base surfaces S fitted with fastener means 40to which any of a variety of interchangeable shoe parts P are removablyattached to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration and color.Any suitable fastener means 40 may be used, but one preferred fastenermeans is an array of first snap fastener halves 42 secured to the basesurfaces S, with opposing and connecting second snap fastener halves 44secured to the shoe parts P. Another suitable fastener means is the hookportion 46 or loop portion 48 of hook and loop fastener sheets securedto the shoe base surfaces S, which removably connect to an opposing loopportion 48 or hook portion 46 of hook and loop fastener sheets on theshoe parts P. The hook and loop fastener sheets 46 and 48 are removablyattached to the elements making up the convertible shoe 10 so that theycan be replaced with new hook and loop fastener sheets 46 and 38 whenthey become worn.

One version of the shoe base 20 is an elongate panel 30 having the shapeand size of a shoe sole for the given wearer, and the base surfaces S towhich fastener means 40 are secured include a longitudinal panel sidesurfaces 32 and 34, panel front and rear surfaces 30A and 30B and paneltop and bottom surfaces 36 and 38, respectively. The shoe parts Pinclude several shoe top structures 60 of various configurations shapedto wrap over the top of a wearer foot and downwardly to connect at theirlower ends 62 to fastener means 40 on the shoe base 20, and preferablyto the longitudinal panel side surfaces 32 and 34, panel rear surface30A, bottom surface and in some instances to peripheral portions of thepanel top surface 36. Since the shoe top structures 60 may have verydifferent configurations from each other, they connect to the shoe base20 at a variety of different locations. For this reason, the fasteningmeans 40 are provided over broad areas of the shoe base surfaces S.

The shoe parts 10 further include several shoe bottom structures 80 ofvarious configurations including a sole portion 82 connected to a heelportion 84. The heel portion 84 is permanently connected to the soleportion 82 or are integral. One version of the sole portion 82 hasspikes or cleats 88, so that the user can for example change soleportions 82 to move from the office to the golf course. Alternativelythe panel 30 and the bottom structure 80 may be permanentlyinterconnected or may be a single integral part. A foot bed 92optionally is provided for fastening onto the panel top surface 36 toincrease wearer height, and the foot bed 92 may be provided in any of avariety of colors and several may be stacked on a sole portion 82 togive the wearer greater height. See FIGS. 2-2B. The foot bed 92preferably includes foot bed ports 64 for passing shoe top structurelower ends 62 so that the lower ends 62 can be fastened to the topsurface of the elongate panel 30, or to the lower surface of the footbed 92, or to the sides or bottom of the elongate panel 30. See FIGS. 8and 9. The fasteners such as snap fastener halves 42 may be mounted on alower end cross member 66.

The applicant notes that: one version is an arch support system allowingwearer to change various sized arches or supports, and customize forcomfort or medical reasons. The changeable arches or supports can befastened to the top surfaces and side surfaces of foot bed 92, or passedthrough foot bed ports 64 and fastened to the bottom surfaces of footbed 92, or to the top surfaces and side surfaces of elongate panel 30.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a shoe top structure 60can be fastened with snap fastener halves 42 and 44 or with hook andloop fastener portions 46 and 48, or with virtually any other fastenermeans 40 to absolutely any surface of the foot bed 92, or to absolutelyany surface S of the shoe base 20 such as an elongate panel 30, or toabsolutely any surface of the sole portion 82 including any surface ofthe heel portion 84, or to any combination of these. This is one way inwhich the present convertible shoe 10 is fully versatile.

A fabric heel cover sheet 90 may be provided for changing the color orstyle of the shoe 10. The fabric heel cover sheet 90 has heel coverfastener means 40 which attach to base fastener means 40 on heel portion84. The heel cover sheet 90 may wrap around and cover the rear and sidesurfaces of the heel portion 84, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or may wrapentirely around and cover the heel portion 84 rear, side and frontsurfaces. The heel cover sheet 90 still alternatively may take the formof a tube or sleeve sized as shown in FIG. 5 to fit snugly over the heelportion 84 from the heel portion 84 lower end, and is optionally elasticto accomplish such a snug fit. The fabric heel cover sheet 90 may beformed of thin material to follow and duplicate the shape of the heelportion 84, or may be formed of thicker material to define a shapedifferent from that of the existing heel portion 84.

An alternative to the tubular fabric heel cover sheet 90 is a rigid heelcover 94 or heel cover block which has a substantially fixed solid formdefining a heel portion 84 shape which has a heel receiving passageway96 opening into its rigid heel cover 94 upper surface for receiving theexisting shoe heel portion 84 and then fastening to the existing heelportion 84 or sole portion 82 or both. The rigid heel cover 94optionally has a flexible cover sheet 94A permanently fastened to itsouter surface which extends above the rigid or block segment of the heelcover 94 and has inwardly directed fasteners such as fastener halves 42and 44 for fastening to the existing sole portion 82 and heel portion84. See FIG. 11.

The outward surfaces of the snap fasteners 42 and 44 may be adorned withgemstones or other decorative element.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it hasassumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

1. A convertible shoe, comprising: a shoe base having upper, lower, andedge shoe base surfaces; a plurality of removably attachable fastenermeans, each fastener means having a first half coupled to one of saidupper surface of said shoe base and said lower surface of said shoe basesurface; and at least two interchangeable shoe parts, each part having asecond half of one of said plurality of removably attachable fastenermeans and each interchangeable shoe part being removably attachabledirectly to at least one of said upper shoe base surface and said lowershoe base surface to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration.2. The convertible shoe of claim 1, wherein said fastener meanscomprises an array of first snap fastener and connecting second snapfastener halves.
 3. The convertible shoe of claim 1, wherein saidfastener means comprises one of a hook portion and a loop portion ofhook and loop fastener sheets and an opposing one of a loop portion anda hook portion of hook and loop fastener sheets.
 4. The convertible shoeof claim 1, wherein said shoe base comprises an elongate panel havingsubstantially the shape and size of a shoe sole for a given user, andwherein said base surfaces to which said fastener means are securedinclude longitudinal panel top and bottom surfaces.
 5. The convertibleshoe of claim 1, wherein said shoe parts comprise a plurality of shoetop structures of various configurations have shoe top structure lowerends and being shaped and sized to wrap over the top of a wearer footand downwardly to connect at said shoe top structure lower ends tofastener means on at least one of said base surfaces.
 6. The convertibleshoe of claim 5, wherein said shoe top structure lower ends connect toat least one of: said longitudinal panel bottom surface and said paneltop surface.
 7. The convertible shoe of claim 4, wherein said shoe partscomprise a plurality of shoe bottom structures of various configurationscomprising a sole portion connected to a heel portion.
 8. Theconvertible shoe of claim 7, wherein said sole portion has a soleportion upper surface and has fastener means on said sole portion uppersurface which register with and removably connect to fastener means onsaid panel bottom surface.
 9. The convertible shoe of claim 7, whereinsaid heel portion and said sole portion one of: are permanentlyinterconnected and a single integral part.
 10. The convertible shoe ofclaim 7, wherein said panel and said bottom structure are one of:permanently interconnected and a single integral part.
 11. Theconvertible shoe of claim 7, additionally comprising a heel cover sheethaving heel cover fastener means for removably attaching to said basefastener means on said heel, for changing the color or style of theconvertible shoe.
 12. The convertible shoe of claim 7, additionallycomprising a heel rigid cover having heel cover fastener means forremovably attaching to said fastener means on said shoe, for changingthe color or style of the convertible shoe.
 13. The convertible shoe ofclaim 1, additionally comprising a foot bed for fastening to the shoebase upper surface.
 14. The convertible shoe of claim 13, wherein saidfoot bed has foot bed ports for passing shoe top structure lower ends.15. A convertible shoe, comprising: a shoe base having shoe basesurfaces; a shoe sole portion having sole portion surfaces; a firstfastener means having a first half coupled to one of said shoe basesurfaces and a second half coupled to one of said shoe sole surfaces,the first fastener means removably attaching said shoe base to said shoesole portion; a second fastener means; and at least two interchangeableshoe parts removably attachable with said second fastener means to oneof said shoe base surfaces and said sole portion surfaces to selectivelyproduce a desired shoe configuration.
 16. The convertible shoe of claim15, wherein at least one of said shoe parts is a shoe top structure. 17.A convertible shoe, comprising: a shoe base comprising a shoe soleportion having sole portion surfaces; a foot bed having foot bedsurfaces; a first fastener means having a first half coupled to one ofsaid sole portion surfaces and a second half coupled to one of said footbed surfaces, the first fastener means removably attaching said shoebase to said foot bed; a second fastener means; and at least twointerchangeable shoe parts removably attachable with said secondfastener means to one of said sole portion surfaces and said foot bedsurfaces to selectively produce a desired shoe configuration.
 18. Theconvertible shoe of claim 17, wherein at least one of said shoe parts isa shoe top structure.
 19. The convertible shoe of claim 1, additionallycomprising various sized arches or supports with fastener means forremovably attaching to said fastener means on said shoe, for changingfor comfort or medical reasons.
 20. The convertible shoe of claim 1,additionally comprising various sized arches or supports with lower endspassing through foot bed ports with fastener means for removablyattaching to said fastener means on said shoe for changing for comfortand for medical reasons.
 21. The convertible shoe of claim 1,additionally comprising a shoe base with one of spikes and cleats andfastener means comprising a shoe sole portion with fastener means a footbed having foot bed surfaces for changing to and from golf course.
 22. Aconvertible shoe, comprising: a shoe top structure which can be fastenedwith snap fastener halves or with hook and loop fastener portions, orwith virtually any other fastener means to absolutely any surface of thefoot bed, or to absolutely any surface of the shoe base such as anelongate panel, or to absolutely any surface of the sole portionincluding any surface of the heel portion, or to any combination ofthese, such that said present convertible shoe is fully versatile.